Planing, shaping, or slotting machine with reciprocating strokes of variable lengths.



- '.T. E. WIGKSTEED. l PLANING, SHAPING, OR SLOTTING MAGHINRWITH RECIPBOGATING STROKES 0F VARIABLE LENGTHS. A

Wn'NEssEs M M A f/*W W 7% fn 1 757 744 I E C ATTOR NE'YS VINVENTOR J. H. WICKSTEED. ORSLOTTING MAGHINRWITH RECIPE OCATING STROKES PLANING, SHAPIN G Patented Aug. 31,1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

0F VARIABLE LENGTHS. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 1'6, 190e.

WITNESSES ATTO R N EYS J'. H. WIcKsT-EBD. PLANING, SHAPING, 0R SLOTTING MAGHINE,WITH RBCIPROGATING STROKES 0I' VARIABLE LENGTHS.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 1'6, 190e.

Patented Aug.. 31. 1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1 figli Y 2-19' 1715.14.

WHNESSS l INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH HARTLEY WICKSTEED, 0F LEEDS, ENGLAND.

PLANING, SHAPING, OR SLOTTING'MACHINE WITH RECIPROCATING STROKES OF i VARIABLE LENG-THS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH HARTLEY VVIcKs'rEED, a subject of the King of Great Brit-ain and Ireland, residing at l/Vell House Foundry, in the city of Leeds, England, engineer, have invented new and useful Improvements in Planing, Shaping, or Slotting Machines with Reciprocating Strokes of Variable Length, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to planing, shaping, slotting machines and t-he like and the particular object of my invention is to provide therefor an improved cushion or reaction spring device and in connection therewith an improved reverse operating` mechanism adjustable with relation thereto so as to secure the reverse before, after or simultaneously with t-he actuation of said cushion spring.

It is part of my invention also to provide means whereby the length of the table stroke may be varied without disturbing the relation between the spring and the reverse.

In the accompanying drawings in whichv several embodiments of my invention are shown, Figure 1 is an end elevation partly in section of a portion of such a machinev embodying my invention in one form; Fig. 2

is a plan view of the same with the table re# moved; Fig. 3 is a similar partial plan on a.

larger scale; Fig. 4 is an end elevation partly in section 'of a similar machine embodying my invention in a modified form; Fig. 5 is a plan View of the same with the table removed; Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail in cross section of a further detail modification; Fig. 7 is an end elevationpartly in section of a similar machine embodying my invention in another form; Fig. 8 is a plan of the saine with the table removed; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are details of the machine drawn to a larger scale; Fig. 12 is an end elevation Aof another modification of which Fig. 13 is a plan View with the table removed; Fig. 14 is a partial side elevation; and Fig. 15 an end view of the table. Y

The preferred construction, though one which is apt to be least frequently employed in practice, since it occupies too much space is shown in Figs. 1 to 3 applied for example to a planing machine. The usual reciprocating table Buis shown mounted upon the bed A, the upper parts of the machine not being illustrated since they do not enter into the invention. Inasmuch as the arrangements Specification of Letters Patent.

Application inea July i6, 190s.

Serial N0. 326,511.

are symmetrical about the center line .fr-m, I have for convenience of description given like parts the saine reference numeral with a different exponent for each side and it will be understood in the following description that when but one side is specifically referred to the description applies equally to the `other side except where noted otherwise.

In the bed of the machine I mount two threaded rods 20a and 2()b bolted in bearings in the cross heads 21 at the opposite ends of the bed. Upon each of these rods I mount a cushioning coil spring 22, 22", one end of which abuts against a carrier 23a, 23h, threaded on the rod. A sleeve 24b (Fig. 3) on the carrier extending up the rod 2()b (a similar device being provided for 20a) keeps the coils of the spring 22b clear of the threads on the rods. Tappets 25, 25b (Figs. 1 and 2) on the under side of the table B impinge against the outer ends of the springs 22a, 22", toward the finish of the cutting and return strokes of the table and the resulting compression of the springs both cushions the reverse and assists in the initial movement of the table in the opposite direction. The strain put upon the springs is transmitted through the rods 20a, 2Gb, which are made of suitable strength, to the cross heads 21, which form one of the strongest and most rigid elements of the bed structure.

Referring to the partial plan drawn to.

larger scale in Fig. 3, adjacent the rod 20b I arrange a lighter rod 26b which is slidably supported in bearings in the cross head 21 by means of a feather 27 b. Upon this rod is mounted a coil spring 28" which abuts at one end against a shoulder 29b on the carrier 30h which is splined by the feather S1b to the arm 321 of the carrier 23b through which the rod 26" passes. A tappet, which may conveniently be made in one with the tappet 25b for actuating the cushion spring 22h, engages the free end of the spring 2S" and compresses the latter until the strain thereon is sufficient to displace the rod and move the same longitudinally in its bearings in the cross head 21. A nut 83h on the carrier 23b engages the threads of the rod 26b for the purpose of adjusting the latter in a manner about to be explained.

At one end of each of the rods 26, 26b is arranged a connection to any suitable reversing means adapted to be actua-ted by the movement of said rods. Thus for example Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

jother, act-nate, through the latter, the customary starting and stopping wheel 87, with its connection 38 to the motor force.

The particular reversingmeans andthe conv nection thereto form noV part of my invention, except that the-means for operating the reverse shall be actuated from the rods As has been broadly stated, the parts may be adjusted by a singleoperation to vary the lengthy of the stroke without disturbing the relation .ofthe cushioning spring to the revers-ingV mechanism. YReferring again to Fig. 3, this is accomplished by gearing together the two rods 20", 26" by a Vpair.of pinions 39" and 40", the pinion 39" being loose on the rod 20" ,but secured thereto by a clutch on the feather 40", fora reason which will be presently explained. By applying a crank to the squared end 4l" of the rod 26" both rods 26" and 20" may be rotated and since the pitch of the threads on each is the same, the carrier 23" for the cushion spring and the carrier 30" for the reversing spring will be moved forward or backward on` their respective rods at preciselyV the same speed. The tappet 25" will impinge against the springs in precisely the same sequence as before the adjustmentV for a stroke of differentV length. If however, it is4 desired to change the time of reverse with relation to they extent of compression of the cushioning spring this is readily accomplished by throwingthe clutch on the feather 40" so as to free the'pinion 39". If now the crank be applied to the rod 26", the rod v2O" will not be affected since pinion 39" rotates as an idler,` while the carrier 30" on the rod 26" is shifted forward or backward to the desired adjustment. By this means the reverse can be timed to precede, to follow or to be simultaneous with the compression of the cushioning spring 22". Furthermore the adjustment at the opposite ends of the machine may beV varied as may be desired for the ends of the cutting and the recover strokes of the table.- The arrangement shown in Figs. l to 3 is of more theoretical than practical interest however, since as has been stated it occupies more bed room than is generally available. More compact arrangements are shown in the various modified constructions shown in the remaining figures.

Omitting reference to Figs. 4 and 5 for the present and considering first the modiications shown in Figs. 7 to l1, it will be noted that but two rods, instead of four1 are employed. These threaded rods 42a and 42" are slidably mounted in bearings in the cross heads and carry, in addition to the cushioning springs 22, 22", the threaded nuts 43a, 43", which move longitudinally on the rods to adjust the length of the table stroke when it is desired to change the same. The tappets 25", 25" on the table engage the nuts 43", 43" and displace the rods longitudinally, thereby compressing the springs between the heads 44", 44", of the rods and the cross members 45 of the bed which act as abutments for the springs. ln this arrangement the reverse is secured by means of a lever series diagrammatically shown as extending to the starting and stopping wheel 37 and actuated by cams formed on the heads 44a 44" of the rods 42, 42" against which bear rollers 4G", 4G" on the ends of the levers 47", 47" of the series. As the rod 42" is displaced by the tappet and the cushion spring 22" compressed, the reverse is operated by the roller 4G" which slides up on the cam head 44". As will be readily seen the lengt-h of stroke of the table may be varied at will by altering` the position of the nuts 43", 43". vithout alfecting the relation between the reverse and the compression of the springs 22", 22". At the saine time this relation may be varied. so as to make the reverse precede or follow the compression of the cushioning spring. To make the reverse precede the compression, (F ig. 9) a lighter spring 48n is interposed between the compression spring 22a and the cam head 44a. This permits the rod 42 to be displaced and thus actuate the reverse before the cushion spring 22a is compressed. On the other hand the reverse may be delayed until after the compression of the cushion spring by interposing a stirrup spring 49 of common type between the. ends of the rod 50 of the leve-r system. The same result may be accomplished by suitably shaping the cam head 44" (Fig. 10) so as to permit the rod 42" to be displaced for some distance before the cam comes into operating position. Obviously the cam may be varied in shape to produce any desired effect.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the tappets 52", 52", carried by the table are threaded on screw rods 50", 50" mounted in bearings on the underside of the table and are adjusted to position to give the desired length of stroke by rotating these rods. Instead of carrying the rods 51", 51", on which the cushion springs 22", 22", are mounted,the length of the bed, they are merely extended to cross members 45 of the frame in which they are guidedwhile the cross heads 21 serve as the abutments against which the springs are compressed. Then the tappets 52, 52" impinge against the ends of the rods 5l", 5l", the latter are displaced and compress the springs which bear against the shoulders 53a, 53" on the rods. The reverse is secured by the cam heads 44", 44" on the rods 5l", 5l" as explained in connection with the modillt) ication shown in Fig. 8. The reverse preceding compression of the cushion sprin may be conveniently accomplished (Fig. 6) by sleeving an inner stem 54a within the rod 51a and connecting the samethrough to the cam 44a, a light spring 55a being interposed between the stem and the rod 51, which would be compressed by the tappet and thus permit the cam head to move through its actuating travel before the spring 22a is compressed. j

In the modilication shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the cushion spring 56 is given the form of a pull instead of a compression spring. The spring is secured at each end tothe lower arm of a balancing shaft 57a, 57b arranged across each end of the bed. An abutment is arranged to limit the movement of this arm in one direction-or as an alternative collars 59a, 59h, may be screwed on the rods 42, 42h, said collars abutting against the cross heads 21. The rods are secured to the upper arms of the balancing shaft `at each end and are actuated through nuts 60a, G0 against which tappets 25a, 25" on the underside of the table impinge. The cam heads 44a, 44h on the ends of the rods actuate the reverse levers and the adjustment of the reverse with relation to the compression of the cushion spring may be accomplished in the manner indicated above with relation to the other constructions described.

The invention may be incorporated in machines of the character described without requiring added space room, since the springs and the tappets are all beneath the table and within the conlines of the bed. As has been already mentioned, the strain of the springs is transmitted to the cross heads, or cross ties of the bed. This is quite important since these elements are not only among the strongest in the bed structure, but a strain imparted to them does not tend to throw the bed out of alinement or create any torsional stress, a matter not to be disregarded when it is considered that the table with its load, frequently weighs seven or eight tons.

The arrangement by which the cushion springs and the reverse operating rod may be adjusted with relation to each other is of great value. For example when a quick return motion is sought as in the case of a machine in which the energies of the parts are greater on one stroke than on the other, the reverse may be regulated to take place earlier in relation to the resistance of the springs at one end of the stroke than at the other. The adjustment may be varied to meet the particular requirements of any machine to which the invention is applied. In conjunction with this adjustment of the relation between the reverse and the tensioning of the cushion or reaction spring, the provision of means for adjusting the length of the table stroke without affecting this relation is of the greatest importance. The value of this feature from a practical standpoint need not be dwelt upon.

The structures shown and described are but examples of the manner in which my invention may be embodied and I do not limit myself to their details but claim as my invention 1. In a machine of the character described having a bed with cross members and a reciprocating member traveling lengthwise of said bed, a tappet moving with said reciprocating member and a cushion spring arranged within and extending lengthwise of said bed actuated by said tappet and means for transmitting the strain of said cushion spring to a cross member of the bed, together with a rod adapted to be operatively connected to reversing mechanism, said rod extending lengthwise of said bed and being movable with relation thereto, means for actuating said rod from said reciprocating member, means for adjusting with relation to each other the time of actuation of said reversing rod and cushion spring by said reciprocating member and means for varying the length of the latters stroke without disturbing said relation, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the character described having a bed with cross members and a reciprocating member traveling lengthwise of said bed, tappets carried by said reciprocating member and a cushion spring arranged within and extending lengthwise of said bed. actuated by said tappets, means for transmitting the strain of said cushion spring to the cross members of the bed, in combination with a rod adapted to be operatively con nected to reversing mechanism, said rod being slidably mounted in said bed and adaptedto be actuated by the reciprocating member, means to adjust with relation to each other the time of operation of said slidable rod and cushion spring by the reciprocating member and means for varying the length of stroke of said reciprocating member without disturbing said relation, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the character described having a bed with cross members and a reciprocating member traveling lengthwise of said bed, tappets carried by said reciprocating member and a cushion spring arranged within and extending lengthwise of said bed actuated by said tappets, means for transmitting the strain of said cushion spring to the cross members of the bed, in combination with a rod adapted to be operatively connected to reversing mechanism, said rod being slidably mounted in said bed and adapted to be actuated by the reciprocating member, means to adjust with relation to each other the time of operation of said, slidable rodk and cushion spring by the Va Ybed with cross members, a. reciprocating member traveling lengthwise of saidV bed, a

rod Aadapted to be operatively connected toy reversing mechanism, said rod being slidably mounted on said bed, anda cushioning coil spring mounted on said rod and adapted to be Aactuated thereby, said spring abutting against a cross memberon said bed, in combination .with means in connection with said reciprocating.member for actuating said rod, whereby said reversing mechanism and cushioning spring are operated, substantially as and Vfor the purpose described. i

-In a 'machine of the character described, a bed with cross members, a reciprocating member traveling lengthwise of said bed, a rod adapted to be operatively connected to reversing mechanism, said rod beingA slidably mounted on said bed, and a cushioning coil spring mounted on said rod and jadapted to be actuated thereby, said spring abutting against a cross member on said bed, in combination with .means to vary the extent of actuation of said spring by the movement of said rod and means 1n connection with said reciprocating member for actuating said rod, whereby said reversing mechanism and cushioning spring are operated, substantiallyas and for the purpose described.

G. In a machine of the character described, a bed with cross members, a reciprocating member traveling lengthwise of said bed, a rod provided with a cam head adapted to be operatively connected to reversing mechanism, said rod being .slidably mounted on said bed, and a cushioning coil spring mounted ,on said rod and adapted to be actuated thereby, said spring abutting againsta cross member on said bed, in combination with means in connection with said reciprocating member for actuating said rod, whereby said reversing mechanism and cushioning spring are operated, substantially asand for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH HARTLEY WIOKSTBED. `Witnesses GILBERT FLETCHER TYsoN, EDWD GEO. DAvIEs. 

